Hugo Lloris "very sad" but resolved to start for Spurs against West Ham

Few figures in sport have been as affected by last week's terror attacks in Paris than the members of the French national football team. Three bombs exploded outside the Stade de Paris during the friendly between France and Germany. While no players were hurt in the incidents, the attacks were deeply felt and incredibly emotional to France and Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris.

Now that Hugo is back in London preparing for Tottenham's Sunday match against West Ham, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has opened up about his starting keeper and how the Paris attacks have affected him personally.

"He wants to play - to pay tribute and show respect... He is very sad but he is strong enough and I think he is ready to play on Sunday.

It has been a very tough period for him. As captain of France, it is a big responsibility, but he has a great mind. He is an unbelievable person and character...

We spoke about it a lot. It is impossible to stay away from it but the players are in good condition. The best way to pay tribute to the families and people in Paris is to do our job, which is to play, and I think the players are in good condition."

Tottenham, along with every other club in the Premier League, is planning to pay tribute to the French people and honor those who lost their lives in the Paris terrorist attacks before their match on Sunday. The Premier League has arranged to have the French national anthem – "La Marseillaise" – before every EPL match this weekend, and the players will wear black arm bands in commemoration. Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore announced the plans yesterday in a media statement.

"Given how close we are as well as the long-standing relationship that exists between the Premier League and France, playing La Marseillaise as an act of solidarity and remembrance is the right thing to do.

We were all saddened and deeply shocked by the events in Paris last Friday, and the fact it was an attack on people enjoying their everyday freedoms like going to a bar, a concert or a football match resonates with football fans and the general public throughout the UK."